Improvement in draught-regulators



J. WGODRUFF. Draught- Regulator.

Patented July 9 itmm:

UNITED STATES JOSEPH WOODRUFF, OF BAHWAY, NEW JERSEY.

I MPRQVEMENT IN DRAUGHT-REGULATORS.

Specification describinga new and Improved Draught Regulator, inventedby JOSEPH WOODRUFF, of Rahway, in the county of Union and State of NewJersey.

Figure 1 represents a side view, partly in section, of my improveddraught-regulator. Fig. 2 is a top view, partly in section, of the same.Fig; 3 is a detail yertical section on the line 0 c, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, avertical central section; and Fig. 5, a detail top view of amodification in the construction of the diaphragmholder..

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. a

This invention relates to a new apparatus for regulating the draught ofthe furnace in accordance with the steam-pressure of a boiler, so thatthe furnace-heat will be automatically reduced whenever the pressureexceeds a given degree, and augmented when the pressure comes below adesired point. The invention consists in a new arrangement offlexiblediaphragms, properly packed and connected with a vertical stem, which,when adjusted up and down by the action of steam on the diaphragm, willcause the vibrations of a weighted lever, and the consequent automaticadjustment of the damper which is connected with the lever.

A in the drawing represents the fixed frame of my improved apparatus,provided with a vertical cylindrical chamber, a, into which thesteam-pipe b is conducted. To the top of this chamber a is securelyfastened, by a series of vertical bolts, d d, an annular metal plate, 6,which serves to clamp the inner edge of an annular flexible diaphragm,B. The bolts (1 pass through the plate 0, and also through the bottomplate f of the chamber a, as shown, and can be drawn sufficiently-tightto firmly clamp the inner edge of the diaphragm B. G is an upperflexible diaphragm, as large in external diameter as B. Both diaphragmsare at their outer edges confined between two recessed rings, D D, byaninterposed ring, E.

Bolts g g, passing through the thick; outer parts of the rings D I),draw them together, and crowd the same against the diaphragms B G, whichbear, respectively, against the opposite sides of the ring E, as shown.F is an upright stem fitted centrally through the dia phragm G, andterminating at its upper end in an eye, as shown in Fig. 3. Directlyabove the diaphragm G the stem is embraced by a sleeve, h, which restson C, while a washer and nut, 'i, beneath the diaphragm, clamp the sametightly against the sleeve h. The lower part of the stem F passesloosely through eyes of radiating rods j j, whose outer ends fit intocavities in the sides of the chamber a a, shown,

or which are otherwise applied to guide them. G is a lever pivoted at lto the frame A, and suspended, by links m m, from the upper part of theeye into which the stem F terminates. The outer end of the lever G is,by a rod, 0, connected with a weighted crank, 10, of the arbor 1, uponwhich the damper H in the smoke-flue I is secured. A weight, 8, is alsoapplied adjustably to the lever G, as shown. By means of this weight theapparatus can be set to a greater or less degree of pressure. Wheneverthe pressure is sufficient to expand the space between the diaphragmsthe lever will be swung up, to more or less shut the damper. Thearrangement of diaphragm and stem as herein shown is very advantageous,inasmuch as it allows a comparatively long stroke. When a still longerstroke is desired I may use a suitable number of diaphragms, J J,clasped between rings t t, which are secured to a central'tube, u, asindicated in Figs. 4and 5.

The applying the connecting rod 0 to the crank of the damper, betweenthe weight thereon and the arbor, causes such weight to ease the damperon its bearings, using the pivot on o as its fulcrum, so that the damper.will be turned with less difficulty than if not so balanced. The leverG, when graduated and provided with an adjustable weight at the end ormiddle; can at any time be used to weigh or measure the steam-pressureof the boiler, such weight or measurement being ascertained by adding tothe absolute result the weight of the damper and attachments that bearon the lever.

Havingthus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patenti 1. The plate 6, bolts 01 d, and plate f, ar-

ranged in combination with each other for the purpose of fastening theinner edge of the annular diaphragm B, as set forth.

2. The recessed rings D D and interposed ring E, applied as outerfastenings for the diaphragms B O, as specified.

3. The central stem F, firmly clamped to the upper diaphragm G, as setforth.

4. The guide-pins jj, arranged within the chamber a, to steady the lowerpart of the stern F, as set forth.

5. The weighted lever G, combined with the vertical stem F and with theweighted crank 11 of the damper-arbor 1', as and for the purpose hereinshown and described.

6. The damper hung on a crank-arbor whose crank has a weight at theouter end, and is connected with the operating lever between the weightand arbor, to be balanced, as set forth.

JOSEPH WOODR-UFF.

Witnesses:

FRANK BLocKLEY, W. A. GRAHAM.

